Virginia Tech Hokies Football

The Virginia Tech Hokies football team, representing Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the NCAA. They are part of the Coastal Division within the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Earlier, they were associated with the Big East Conference. Their home ground is Lane Stadium, which is located in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Virginia Tech Hokies Football Introduction

The Virginia Tech Hokies started playing football on October 21, 1892. Their first opponent was St. Albans Lutheran Boys School from Radford, Virginia. Since then, they have set numerous records, participated in 33 bowl games, and had 700 victories, including the prestigious 2000 BCS National Championship game.

The Hokies hold the 23rd spot among all Division I college football teams for most wins. They have an outstanding streak of 27 consecutive bowl appearances, spanning from the 1993 Independence Bowl to the 2019 Belk Bowl, which puts them at number four in the longest streak in college football history. Throughout their history, the Hokies have won eleven conference titles, competing in various conferences such as the South Atlantic, Southern, and Big East. Currently, they are in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), where they've claimed four championships.

Virginia Tech Hokies Football History

The football history of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) dates back to October 21, 1892, when the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Virginia Tech) played its first game against St. Albans Lutheran Boys School.

They won the first game with a 14–10 score. However, they suffered a 10–0 defeat eight days later. The team initially sported cadet gray and black colors before transitioning to Burnt Orange and Chicago Maroon in 1896.

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Hokies experienced both victories and challenges. The 1909 team claimed a southern championship, marking the beginning of their identity as the "Gobblers," which was officially adopted in 1912.

During the SAIAA (South Atlantic Intercollege Athletic Association) years from 1912 to 1921, Virginia Tech achieved success, winning the conference in 1916 and 1918. Later, they joined the Southern Conference (SoCon) from 1922 to 1964.

In the 1970s, under head coach Charlie Coffey, the team experimented with an aggressive passing offense, but they struggled to achieve sustained success. The Bill Dooley era from 1978 to 1986 saw milestones such as the introduction of the Hokie mascot and the program's first-ever bowl win, but also faced challenges with NCAA sanctions.

Virginia Tech Hokies Football Coach

The Virginia Tech Hokies Football has been led by 33 head coaches and 1 interim head coach throughout its history.

Head Coach

Brenton James Pry is the head coach at Virginia Tech. Prior to that, He was the defensive coordinator at Penn State from 2016 to 2021. Pry's college football experience includes playing for the Buffalo Bulls.

Pry took the role of head coach at Virginia Tech on November 30, 2021, replacing Justin Fuente. In his debut season with the Hokies in 2022, Pry guided the team to a 3–8 record. His second season saw improvement, resulting in a 7–6 record, highlighted by a commanding 55–17 victory over rival Virginia and a successful outing against Tulane in the Military Bowl.

Here is a table of all the head coaches of the Virginia Tech Hokies football team:

Virginia Tech Hokies Football Stadium: Lane Stadium

Lane Stadium, situated on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, is the home ground for the Virginia Tech Hokies. The stadium is named after Edward Hudson Lane, a former student and benefactor. The stadium boasts Worsham Field as its playing surface, and it was named in honor of university donor Wes Worsham. Historically, Lane Stadium held the record for the highest elevation among Football Bowl Subdivision stadiums in the eastern United States until 2014.

The seating capacity was initially 40,000; however, expansions increased it to 52,500, and recent upgrades elevated it to 65,632 seating capacity.

Virginia Tech Hokies Football Rivals

The Virginia Tech Hokies have rivalries with many teams. Some of the most notable ones are:

Virginia

The Virginia Tech Hokies have a long history of rivalry with the University of Virginia Cavaliers, known as the Virginia–Virginia Tech rivalry. The rivalry dates back to 1895. These two teams have faced off annually since 1970. Over the years, the game has been hosted at various locations, including Richmond, Norfolk, and Roanoke. This matchup is significant, with 97 games played, making it the longest series for the Hokies and the second-longest for the Cavaliers.

West Virginia

Another notable rivalry for the Hokies is with the West Virginia Mountaineers, known as the Virginia Tech–West Virginia football rivalry. These teams have a history dating back to 1912.

By 2005, they had faced each other 51 times. From 1991 to 2003, they were conference foes in the Big East Conference. The annual matchup between 1973 and 2005 was marked by the competition for the Black Diamond Trophy.

Miami

The rivalry between the Hokies and the Miami Hurricanes began on November 13, 1953. This rivalry intensified when Virginia Tech joined the Big East Conference for football in 1991, with both teams competing annually since 1992. With the expansion of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in 2004, the rivalry continued as both teams became ACC members. Miami currently leads the series 22–15 as of 2022. Their last encounter was on October 15, 2022, when Miami emerged victorious with a 20–14 win. The two teams are set to face off again during the 2025 season at Miami's home stadium, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

Virginia Tech Hokies Football Record and stats

• Virginia Tech has won 11 conference championships, including the ACC Championship in 2004.

• They have also won the Coastal Division six times and appeared in the ACC Championship Game.

Conference championships

Division championships

Virginia Tech Hokies Football Roster

Virginia Tech Hokies Football roster includes players from diverse backgrounds:

On the offensive side, notable players include:

Players on the defensive side are:

Virginia Tech Hokies Football Schedule

The Virginia Tech Hokies football schedule for the 2024 regular season matches is as follows: